Fig 4 - uploaded by Stefan Siebert
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Flower of Commicarpus pentandrus showing the upper, petaloid part (a) and the lower, coriaceous part (b). White arrow indicates the glands around the apex of the lower part of the fl ower and the black arrow the longitudinal grooves. Scale bar 2 mm.
Source publication
A taxonomic revision of the genus Commicarpus in southern African is presented and includes a key to the species, complete nomenclature and a description of all infrageneric taxa. The geographical distribution, notes on the ecology and traditional uses of the species are given. Eight species of Commicarpus with five infraspecific taxa are recognize...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... inflorescence in Commicarpus is an umbel, sometimes with up to four whorls together in the same inflorescence. The peduncles are 20- 150 mm long (Table 1). The flowers of Commicarpus are infundibiliform (Fig. 3). The flowers can be divided into two parts, an upper petaloid part and a distinct lower, coriaceous part (Fig. 4). The upper petaloid part has white, pink or purple flavonoid pigmentation and is 2-17 mm long (Table 1). The lower, coriaceous part of the flower is 2-7 mm long and can be cylindrical (C. chinensis subsp. natalensis, C. fallacissimus and C. plumbagineus var. plumbagineus), clavate (C. decipiens and C. pentandrus) or elliptic (C. ...
Context 2
... Standl., a genus of about 30 – 35 species, is distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, especially in Africa and western Asia (Douglas and Spellenberg, 2010). With 12 species, northeastern Africa and southern Arabia are the center of diversity for the genus (Thulin, 1990). Members of Commicarpus have a preference for arid environments, exempli fi ed by their clustering in Somalia, Ethiopia and adjacent parts of southern Arabia. In southern Africa a secondary center of diversity, eight species, are con fi ned to the arid parts of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa (Meikle, 1978). Members of Commicarpus are morphologically similar to those of Boerhavia and the genus was originally treated as a section of Boerhavia ( Boerhavia sect. Adenophorae Heimerl; Heimerl, 1889). This classi fi cation was followed until 1909 when Standley separated the genus Commicarpus from Boerhavia due to differences in habit (scrambling or climbing in Commicarpus ; diffuse in Boerhavia ), structure of the fruit (10-ribbed with large viscid and mucilaginous glands in Commicarpus ; 3 – 5-winged or 5-ribbed with multicellular trichomes present or absent in Boerhavia ), and the shape of the perianth (funnel-shaped in Commicarpus ; bell-shaped in Boerhavia ). This distinc- tion was maintained until 1931 when Standley included Commicarpus in Boerhavia “ to aid in reducing ... the increasing number of genera ” , though he stated that he still believed in the validity of Commicarpus as a separate genus (Standley, 1931). Heimerl (1934), however, recognized Commicarpus as a separate genus. Fosberg (1978) reduced Commicarpus to a subgenus of Boerhavia , but this was not validly published (Harriman, 1999). Recent molecular studies (Douglas and Manos, 2007) have provided further evidence that Boerhavia and Commicarpus are indeed two separate, monophyletic genera. In southern Africa (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland), eight species of Commicarpus are recognized. These are widely distributed in the region with Namibia being the main center of diversity (Germishuizen and Meyer, 2003). The most recent revision of Commicarpus in southern Africa is that of Stannard (1988) for Flora Zambesiaca , although he only treated members of fi ve species, namely C. chinensis (L.) Heimerl subsp. natalensis Meikle, C. helenae (Roem. and Schult.) Meikle var. helenae , C . pentandrus (Burch.) Heimerl, C. pilosus (Heimerl) Meikle and C. plumbagineus (Cav.) Standl. var. plumbagineus . Commicarpus helenae var. helenae , C. pentandrus and C. plumbagineus var. plumbagineus were also treated in the Flora of Tropical East Africa (Whitehouse, 1996) and the Flora of Somalia (Thulin, 1993). Three currently-recognized species have not featured in any earlier treatments, and this has resulted in misidenti fi cations in the Flora of Southern Africa region (Struwig et al., 2011). This contribution is a fi rst attempt at a comprehensive taxonomic revision for the genus in southern Africa, and includes a key to the species, complete nomenclature, and a formal description of all the infrageneric taxa. Taxon accounts are supplemented with geographical distribution records, notes on the ecology, and known traditional uses. Red list assessments are also included. Plant material was collected during fi eld work in Namibia and South Africa. Specimens from the following southern African herbaria were studied: BLFU, BOL, GRA, J, KMG, KSAN, NBG, NH, NMB, NU, PRE, PRU, PUC, SAM, UCBG, UNIN, WIND and ZULU (acronyms according to Holmgren et al., 1990). Micrographs of the leaves were taken with a Canon 450D fi tted with a 100 mm Sigma macro lens. The length and breadth of the leaves as well as the length of the petiole were measured. Fresh fl oral material was collected in situ in 4% paraformaldehyde and fl owers taken from herbarium specimens were rehydrated for 10 min in boiling water. Three fl owers per species (one each from Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, where available) were dissected and the length of the peduncle, pedicel, upper and lower portions of the fl ower, stamens and ovary were measured. Mean length and width of anthocarps were determined by measuring ten herbarium specimens per species and three anthocarps per specimen (n = 30). Micrographs of the fl owers and anthocarps were taken with a Nikon Digital Camera DXM 1200F fi tted on a Nikon SMZ 1500 stereomicroscope. Morphological terminology follows Hickey and King (2000). Distribution records and habitat information were obtained from herbarium specimens as well as observations made during fi eld trips. Localities and species distribution patterns were mapped using ArcView 9.2 (ESRI, 2006). Information on the uses was gathered from herbarium label information, and a broad literature survey. Where fresh plant material was sampled, soil from the top 100 mm of the root zone of a plant was also collected. This was repeated for fi ve plants per population in 100 m 2 to make-up a composite soil sample for analysis. All soil samples were air dried and sent to Eco-Analytica for analysis (North-West University, Potchefstroom). Soils were analyzed for cation exchange capacity (CEC), electrical conductivity (EC), pH (H 2 O and KCl), phosphorus (using Bray method), nitrogen (NO 3 − ), sulfur (SO 4 2 − ), and extract- able K + , Mg 2 + , Ca 2 + , and Na + . A total extract of 29 metals was done per composite sample. Additionally, particle size distribution was conducted to determine the soil texture. Red list assessments of the species indigenous to South Africa were taken from Raimondo et al. (2009). However, the Namibian endemics, namely Commicarpus decipiens Meilke, C. fallacissimus (Heimerl) Heimerl ex. Obermeyer, Schweickerdt and I. Verdoorn and C. squarrosus (Heimerl) Standl. were assessed for the fi rst time according to the criteria of the World Conservation Union IUCN (2001). Commicarpus species are all perennial, but two distinct growth forms are discernable. Commicarpus fallacissimus , C. pilosus and C. squarrosus are semi-woody, sub-shrubs of 0.6 – 1.0 m high (Fig. 1a), while C . chinensis subsp. natalensis , C . decipiens , C . helenae var. helenae , C . pentandrus and C . plumbagineus var. plumbagineus are herbaceous forbs with procumbent, decumbent or scrambling stems, or sometimes upright (Fig. 1b). Younger plants of C. fallacissimus and C. pilosus are, however, often herbaceous forbs, but tend to develop a semi-woody, suffrutescent growth form with age. The shape of the leaves is variable (Fig. 2) and three groups are evident. The leaves of C. chinensis subsp. natalensis , C. helenae var. helenae , C. pentandrus and C. plumbagineus var. plumbagineus are trian- gular (cordate, ovate and deltoid), those of C. pilosus and C. squarrosus are roundish (orbicular and ovate) and those of C. fallacissimus and C. decipiens are elongated with a roundish base (lanceolate-ovate). Meikle (1978) stated that all the Commicarpus species are super fi cially similar in growth form and foliage, and the southern Africa species considered here are also not easily distinguishable in the fi eld despite the slight variations in habit and leaf shape discussed above. Vegetative characters therefore do not provide evidence on which to base a classi fi cation system. The in fl orescence in Commicarpus is an umbel, sometimes with up to four whorls together in the same in fl orescence. The peduncles are 20 – 150 mm long (Table 1). The fl owers of Commicarpus are infundibiliform (Fig. 3). The fl owers can be divided into two parts, an upper petaloid part and a distinct lower, coriaceous part (Fig. 4). The upper petaloid part has white, pink or purple fl avonoid pigmentation and is 2 – 17 mm long (Table 1). The lower, coriaceous part of the fl ower is 2 – 7 mm long and can be cylindrical ( C. chinensis subsp. natalensis , C. fallacissimus and C. plumbagineus var. plumbagineus ), clavate ( C. decipiens and C. pentandrus ) or elliptic ( C. helenae var. helenae , C. pilosus and C. squarrosus ). The lower part of the fl ower has ten narrow, longitudinal grooves with either fi ve ( C. helenae var. helenae , C. pentandrus , C. pilosus and C. squarrosus ) or ten ( C. fallacissimus and C. plumbagineus var. plumbagineus ) prominent glands around the apex, with less prominent glands scattered over the surface further below (Table 1). On ...
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Citations
... The genus Commicarpus is morphologically very close to the genus Boerhavia, thus originally considered as a section of Boerhavia. In 1909, Standley separated the genus Commicarpus from Boerhavia for reasons related to differences in habit and morphology (climbing plants in Commicarpus, diffuse in Boerhavia); in addition, Commicarpus fruits have viscid and mucilaginous glands, the perianth in Commicarpus is a funnel-shaped while in Boerhavia is bell-shaped (Struwig and Siebert 2013). ...
The exudate of Commicarpus grandiflorus (A. Rich.) Standl. flowering aerial parts was investigated for its chemical composition. Nine compounds were isolated, five triterpenes and four methylated flavones, of which two were new natural triterpenes, 2α,3β,11α-olean-18-en-2,3,11-triol (1) and 2α,3β-olean-12-en-2,3-diol-11-one (2) that were named commicarpotriol and commicarpodiol, respectively. Structural characterization was carried out using 1D, 2D NMR, and MS techniques and the antimicrobial activity of all isolates was evaluated.
... Since 2007, taxonomic work has mainly focussed on Boerhavia and Commicarpus in the Nyctaginaceae (Struwig & Siebert 2013), including various taxon-specific descriptions of edaphic specialists. The revision of the Nyctaginaceae in southern Africa resulted in the description of a new species of Boerhavia and a new variety of Commicarpus, both from Namibia (Struwig et al. 2015). ...
AN INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS
... Since 2007, taxonomic work has mainly focussed on Boerhavia and Commicarpus in the Nyctaginaceae(Struwig & Siebert 2013), including various taxon-specific descriptions of edaphic specialists. The revision of the Nyctaginaceae in southern Africa resulted in the description of a new species of Boerhavia and a new variety of Commicarpus, both from Namibia(Struwig et al. 2015). ...
The A.P. Goossens Herbarium (PUC) was founded by Antonie Goossens in 1932 and today it holds over 30 000 specimens from central South Africa. A brief history of herbarium establishment, development as well as its educational purposes, results of scientific studies (taxonomical, ecological and biogeographical) and current status and problems are described and discussed.
... The funnel-shaped fruit is 10-ribbed, with 5-10 viscid and 5 mucilaginous glands at its distal part. As described by Struwig and Siebert (2013), after fertilization the upper, petaloid part of the flower falls off, whereas the lower part enlarges and develops into a protective structure around the fruit (Fig. 4.20a), called the anthocarp (Joshi and Rao 1934;Vanvinckenroye et al. 1993;Hickey and King 2000). The shape of the anthocarp and the arrangement of the glands are species-specific for Commicarpus (Struwig et al. 2011a(Struwig et al. , 2011b, varying from cylindrical, fusiform and clavate to elliptic clavate. ...
Spatula is an individual adhesive element situated at the tip of an adhesive hair in geckos, spiders and some insects. Usually, the contact area and work of adhesion depends on the type of the substrate. It is interesting to note that the interaction of a spatula-like hair tip with the substrate is practically independent on the numerical approach by which the substrate is modeled. However, in the experiments on real animals, as well as in numerically-modeled adhesion of this type of contact systems, pull-off force drops at some particular substrate roughness. In this chapter, we present a numerical model, which is capable to explain experimentally found effect of the adhesion drop at the scale of spatula. Besides we apply our numerical approach to study dynamics of spatular tips during contact formation and show that the contact area of the tips increases under applied shear force, especially, when spatulae are misaligned prior to the contact formation. The shear force has an optimum, when maximal contact is formed, but no slip occurs. In such a state, maximal adhesion can be generated. Another factor influencing attachment is the pad secretion, which flow on rough substrates is studied numerically here. The obtained results demonstrate that an increase in the density of the substrate microstructures leads to an increase in fluid loss from the pad. Additional numerical study, discussed in this chapter, deals with adhesive properties of plant fruits used for dispersal. These fruits can readily stick using secretion provided by the set of glands arranged in a smart manner radially at the distal end of the cut-cone-shaped fruit.
... Family Nyctaginaceae includes about 300 species and over 30 genera [1], from which genus Commicarpus is identified. Members of Commicarpus Standl., grown in arid environments, are 30-35 species distributed throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world, especially in Africa and western Asia [2]. Phytochemical investigation of the family's plants is still not very common. ...
The phytochemical investigation of the aerial parts of Commicarpus grandiflorus (Standl.) resulted in the isolation of two new flavonol 3-O-glucosides, commicarpiflavonol glucoside A (1) and commicarpiflavonol glucoside B (2), along with the known compounds β-sitosterol (3) and betulinic acid (4). The structures of the isolated compounds have been elucidated by extensive 1D (¹H, ¹³C) and 2D (COSY, HSQC, HMBC) NMR spectral data analysis, as well as high-resolution mass determinations.
... In southern African Boerhavia species are distributed throughout Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland (Fig. 7) and prefer well-drained, stony, sandy or loamy soil in dry watercourses or riverbeds and on mountain-or hill slopes in full sun at altitudes of 5-2000 m. Soils (N = 20) in which Boerhavia species grow are generally lower in nutrients than soils (N = 37) associated with Commicarpus species (Struwig and Siebert, 2013). This is reflected by the Electric Conductivity values of soils in this study that are half that of soil samples from Commicarpus habitats and is ascribed to substantially lower levels of N, Ca, K and Na. ...
The genus Boerhavia in southern Africa is revised. Eight species and one infraspecific taxon are recognized for the Flora of Southern Africa region, with Boerhavia orbiculanfolia Struwig described as new. Four of the species are indigenous, with three endemic to semi-arid parts of Namibia and north-western South Africa. The eight species can be distinguished from one another by the shape and indumentum of the anthocarp. The majority of taxa have no edaphic preferences but Boerhavia repens subsp. repens is associated with high Mg levels. This is a first attempt at a comprehensive taxonomic revision for the genus in southern Africa, and includes a key to the species, complete nomenclature, and a description of all the infrageneric taxa. Taxon accounts are supplemented with geographical distribution records, notes on the ecology, soil preferences and known traditional uses.
Background
The plant species belonging to the genus Boerhavia (Nyctaginaceae) have been used extensively in ethnomedicine and Ayurveda in India. Raktapunarnava and Shweta punarnava are two of the species which find mention in various Ayurvedic formulations. Other species of Boerhavia, though not found in Indian system of medicine, do hold importance in ethnomedicine systems in India and other countries.
Objective
Boerhavia being a polymorphic genus, has been treated as a single genus encompassing species belonging to a morphologically related genus Commicarpus also. Owing to this taxonomic quandary with regard to merger or separation of the two genera by different workers, there are different reports of the number of species belonging to the genus. This has further resulted in flawed reporting of ethnomedicinal as well as ethnopharmacological studies. The present review focuses on resolving any confusion in taxonomic treatment, to highlight the ethnomedicinal uses supported by ethnopharmcological data and the phytochemistry of Boerhavia and Commicarpus species found in India.
Conclusion
In India four species of Boerhavia and two species belong to Commicarpus have been reported to occur. The literature survey revealed that except B. diffusa, no other species of Boerhavia has been explored in detail. This presents an opportunity to undertake research on Boerhavia species and find new phytochemicals with promising therapeutic effects.
Fruits of the plants from the genus Commicarpus (Nyctaginaceae) use their adhesive properties for dispersal. They can readily stick to various surfaces including skin, fur, and feathers of potential dispersal vectors using the secretion provided by the set of glands arranged radially at the distal end of the cut-cone-shaped fruit. Field observations show that this particular geometry promotes self-alignment of the fruit to various surfaces after initial contact just by one gland is established. Such self-alignment in turn leads to an increase of the number of contacting points and to the enhancement of adhesive contact area. Here, we study this particular geometry from a theoretical point of view, by probing adhesion ability of geometries having from 2 to 7 radially distributed attachment points. The results show that the radial arrangement provides rapid alignment to the surface. The robust adhesion can be reached already at 5 adhesive points and their further increase does not substantially improve the performance. This study is important not only for our understanding of the functional morphology of biological adhesive systems, but also for the development of technical self-aligning adhesive devices.
A taxonomic treatment of the Nyctaginaceae for the Flora of Namibia is presented, including the description of the family, keys to the genera and species, nomenclature, descriptions of all generic and infrageneric taxa, as well as data about the habitat, elevation, flowering time and distribution. Namibia is the centre of diversity for the family in southern Africa and is represented by four genera and 17 species distributed throughout the country. The names Mirabilis divaricata, Boerhavia atomaria, B. viscosa, B. coccinea f. parcehirsuta and B. stellata are typified on specimens respectively preserved at BM, PH, G, B and an illustration.
The Nyctaginaceae is a small family of about 30 genera and 400 species worldwide. The family is represented by five genera in southern Africa: Boerhavia, Commicarpus, Mirabilis, Pisonia and Phaeoptilum. Twenty species are recognised locally of which three are introduced. Unlike the other southern Africa genera, Phaeoptilum is a monotypic genus endemic to the arid regions of
southern Africa.